Thursday, June 11, 2026
After 68 Days in Jail, Kumerdei Majhi @ Umuri Majhi of Talampadar, Kalahandi Says, “My House is Cooler than Jail in Every Respect”
Kumerdei Majhi, whose original name is Umuri Majhi as per her Aadhaar Card, from Village: Talampadar, PO/PS: Karlapat, Block: Thuamul Rampur, District: Kalahandi, Odisha, spent 68 days in jail for an alleged offence, yet to be proved, with the accused not clearly specified. She had a gloomy face while inside the jail, especially after the release of nine female co-accused, but now appears smiling after her release.
As her advocate, I visited her to understand the human aspects of her experience and that of the co-accused, while also reflecting on the psychology and emotional condition before and after release.
This is a time for witnessing and examining independent India — its police, companies, and politicians — who, it is felt, are snatching away the smiles of innocent forest dwellers in the name of Viksit Bharat. These are Indians who may not identify with Sanatanism, Hindutva, or political democracy in conventional terms, yet remain equal citizens under the written and accepted Constitution of India, holding Aadhaar cards and voter identity cards.
It is felt that legal action should be considered against the police for recording her as Kumerdei Majhi, whereas her actual identity, as per the Aadhaar card, is Umuri Majhi. At her home, she offered Mandia sarbat, the only drink she had, serving it with a warm smile.
This is not merely the story of 23 May 2026; it reflects a deeper pain — a human tragedy in independent India, where BJP, Congress, BJD, and all of us in one way or another share responsibility for failing to aggressively pursue justice in every sphere, aspect, and corner of society, while becoming opportunistic consumers and beneficiaries of corporate interests. Here in Talampadar, villagers are fighting for survival alone. Meanwhile, the Sijimali ecosystem continues to sustain the wider ecology of Kalahandi. Water available at 30 feet in Bhawanipatna today may no longer remain possible after bauxite excavation is completed. Heat may further intensify.
The company is presumed by many to be behind the arrests, because the real struggle lies between the company and the natural inhabitants of Talampadar and its 52 targeted neighbouring villages. The incident involving villagers attacking an alleged dalal appears to be just a triggering point; the conflict itself has a long history.
Yes, many among us are concerned and making small efforts to support the villagers, but it is not enough, because the effects of mining are far-reaching and multifold.
The chronology of events suggests that, L&T had once attempted to take control of the Sijimali range and its villages. With villagers, activists and NGOs, protested and eventually resisted the company’s efforts a few years ago. Now, according to villagers and certain documents, Maitri and Vedanta are seen as the companies involved, obtaining permissions from gram sabhas, government departments, and securing support from political leaders, administrative systems, and police, while attempting to silence and suppress opposition. Whether companies succeed or fail in mining, NGOs, activists, drone operators, media depictions of police action, authorities, and intermediaries may all gain recognition in different ways. Yet those imprisoned remain the true sufferers, even if mining ultimately fails. Jail means punishment, confinement, and disruption of the cohesive social life of Tribal and Dalit communities, many of whom survive with or without formal land ownership documents. Families and prisoners alike lose their means of livelihood. Sources of survival are disrupted. These villagers depend on agriculture, forest produce, and small local businesses for food and income. Separation from one another causes psychological trauma affecting family and community life.
Kumerdei Majhi @ Umuri Majhi was imprisoned along with her son and daughter. Her house lies at the edge of the village, close to the forest and Sijimali hill. It is difficult to imagine that she crossed nearly 150 houses at night to attack someone in another hamlet. She, along with her son and daughter, was arrested on 12 April 2026 by Karlapat police station, located around 10–15 km from the village. Based on reports from co-villagers, despite names not appearing in the FIR, arrests were reportedly made on suspicion.
Today's India, appears increasingly influenced by companies. They renovate roads in remote villages and brand government hospitals and schools in their names. Yet after mining operations end, the names, logos, and facilities often disappear as well. Outsiders frequently become landholders, businessmen, and owners of schools and hospitals. Prices rise sharply. Locals often become mere consumers, customers, servants, helpers, cleaners, and support staff. Environmental pollution increases, while alcohol, medicine dependency, junk food, and social disruptions begin to prevail.
Yesterday, Bhawanipatna experienced temperatures of 42°C, while Talampadar remained below 30°C. Kumerdei Majhi says, “In jail everything was hot — police, food, room, bed, toilet, toiletries, garments — everything burned my life and soul. No ragi/mandia was available to cool me. Now I feel cool here, and I do not want to go to jail again.” Yet the struggle appears far from over, as villagers continue processions from village to village with the slogan: “Sijimali amarta, naise eta kahar buarta” (“Sijimali belongs to us, not to the fathers of others”), while police continue monitoring protesters in large numbers as if it belongs to state and are not influenced by company and government and time will make it clear.
Dwit David Philip
Advocate
Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, Odisha
